Life lessons

Made lots of hearts from my old art and will be giving them to those who may feel forgotten or unloved at a women’s shelter. I opened my heart and eyes to give them all away and an opportunity surfaced. I was inspired by Ann Voskamp’s book, The Broken Way, to look for ways to anonymously love and support another. I would encourage you to consider how to spread loving-kindness to the people you see in your world.

In my January classes one of the things we shared about was the practice of selecting a Word of the Year. There are lots of websites about the Word of the Year concept available on the internet this year! Use them to make it an easier process for you. Don’t make it harder than need be. I used some of Christine Kaine’s information to help me, available here (http://christinekane.com/wordoftheyear).

I also like to chose a Bible Verse of the Year that coincides with my Word of the Year. I would encourage you to write out the following (also from Christine’s material):

3 ways to be

3 ways to connect with others

3 things you want to have

3 things you want to do

These concepts may help guide you on how you’re thinking about the upcoming year. Be sure to use “I” statements all the way through and be as detailed as you can for each point. Don’t limit yourself and allow yourself to dream really big.

When I’m going through this process I set aside time to pray and take a few hours to collect my thoughts and write them down. I’m encouraging you to do the same. You won’t regret it.

I encourage the artists that I coach and many of my art students to create a vision board with their word and verse of the year. A vision board is any sort of board on which you display words, statements and images that represent whatever you want to be, do or have in your life. If you do create a vision board, display it for yourself somewhere that you will naturally see it during your day. Mine is on the garage wall just to the left of my driver-side window. I see it often!

Also, I realize that it’s already the end of the January. If you hear your inner critic trying to make you feel bad about not having your word already, give her the boot! This practice has added such value to my year, I would encourage you not to give up and join us in choosing your word.

This is the first year I bought perfectly matching ribbon and balls (not breakable – yes, I am learning). Well, this year Amy requested her handmade wreath be close to the top of our tree…and we agreed!

The next morning I found S’more (our puppy) wrapped in a strand of lights!!! As I approached S’more to untangle him, he began to move away causing the tree to begin to fall!!! I saved the tree from turning over and poor S’more now goes around it.

“Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.” – John W. Gardner

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